CATCHY TITLE: Web-native curating, storytelling and remixing with Storify, Popcorn & Meograph


NOTE: We are going to focus on Storify due to time constraints, and current technical issues being experienced with Popcorn. However I will show examples and talk through all 3 tools.


What defines these "web-native" storytelling tools?

These tools are online content editors, or “web-native” production tools that allow you to curate and layer online video, images, audio, and social media posts. They all allow for for users to create unique viewing paths through existing online content for themselves.

What are the major differences between Storify, Popcorn, and Meograph?

Storify allows sequencing of content but not editing or layering of content. You can, however generate text to add between bits of content. It plays back like a feed, or a slideshow with interactive links.
Meograph allows sequencing of content but not editing of content. You can layer content in a formatted way (location, time, annotations, and narration). You can record narration. It plays through like a movie with interactive live links and features.
Popcorn Maker allows sequencing of content, editing of content, and robust unlimited layering of content. It plays like a video with interactive links and live features (i.e. Google Maps)

How can I access these tools?

http://storify.com -- optionally connect your twitter, facebook, google+, flickr and other accounts to remix your stream of content into a new sequenced narrative. (free/paid options, no educational options)

https://popcorn.webmaker.org/* -- sign up for a mozilla “persona” profile that gives you access to other tools and makes only your email necessary for logging in -- (totally free & open source)

http://www.meograph.com/ -- create a log in and connect other accounts (as in storify) that allow you to sequence, annotate, and narrate over combinations of content from the web. There are some paid educational options here.

*NOTE: Popcorn Maker is in the “Beta” stage and requires strong internet connection. Save often, and expect that there could be some lag time or hiccups in sync when playing back layered streaming content. Test the publishing option on your connection before committing to a production process with students.
NOTE: social networking sites and youtube may be blocked in your school which will limit the options.

Finished Examples


Popcorn Maker Example: Radio Rookies Stop and Frisk Remix


Radio Rookies embedded Popcorn video and context


POPCORN FEATURES:

  • Quick Overview Video
  • Adding Media: Web-based video and Audio (Youtube, Vimeo, Soundcloud)
  • Adding Events: Pop-ups, Links, Images, Maps, Wikipedia excerpts
  • Advanced: Layering, Pauses, Loops, Resizing
  • Save Preview Project // Review
  • Beta version -- requires strong internet connection


Storify Example: NAMLE 2013 Reflection Stream


STORIFY FEATURES:
  • Storify Guided Tour
  • Linking social media accounts
  • Search options
  • Drag and Drop Sequencing
  • Removing Content

Storify lets you curate social networks to build social stories, bringing together media scattered across the Web into a coherent narrative.

Storify lets you use social networks to build social stories, bringing together media scattered across the Web into a coherent narrative. We are building the story layer above social networks, to amplify the voices that matter and create a new media format that is interactive, dynamic and social.

Storify allows you to gather, sequence and re-present the pieces of content that have helped you make sense of an issue, and synthesize that content into your own message."

"a stop-motion camera for the torrent of information we get from social media"

“It’s multimedia storytelling that can redefine how we think about organizing information, ideas, and identities. In the classroom it helps us to understand curation as a habit of our everyday lives online,” he said. “Storify has helped my students see the purpose, value and real opportunities in crafting trans-media stories as a natural way to report in a hypermedia age.” Paul Mihailidis News Literacy Professor, Emerson College

Meograph Example: Gay & Lesbian Athletes


MEOGRAPH FEATURES:
  • Log in to Meograph and click How-to in the upper right cornerskitch_iphoto.export.skitch.png
  • Adding “Moments”
  • Annotating
  • Narrating
  • Sequencing according to their loose outline

MINI-TASK (15 minutes) and REFLECTION (5 minutes)

Create YOUR story of #digiURI using Storify. Use the Twitter hashtag #digiURI, links, Facebook content, Images that exist online (Google Images, Flickr, Instagram), link to videos you've seen or that are related (you can show them through YouTube if the videos exist there).

REFLECTION PROMPT

How can an online curation exercise effect inquiry-based online research and synthesis for your students?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

how to Storify, why to storify from hybrid pedagogy
four ways journalism students are using Storify
Fixing an event in time: Mr. Rogers REMIX report on Storify
The Right to Remix: Creative Commons review on Storify (supporting your POV with works and notes of others)
Remixing: The perversion of Copyright on Storify (gathering points of view)

Quick Popcorn Overview Video
Popcorn finished products: http://popcornjs.org/
Storycamp movie series (Don't miss 2 min Remix overview)
Popcorn Example: Buffy & Twillight remix (citing sources, mixing two sources to skew one)
http://www.bavc.org/web-native-filmmaking
http://www.rebelliouspixels.com/
https://popcorn.webmaker.org/
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/rookies/blogs/rookies-blog/2012/nov/27/mozfest/
Soundcloud Audio hosting and streaming
Moby Gratis music available for educational media making


Archive of Meograph educational examples